Jamaat ameer pledges security, dignity for women at home, workplaces

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today pledged to ensure maximum security and dignity for women both at home and in the workplace if his party comes to power.

Addressing a large rally at Altafunnesa Playground in Bogura town as part of a two-day election campaign in northern districts, the Jamaat chief said any violation of women’s dignity would not be tolerated.

“The honour of our mothers is more valuable than our lives. We will not tolerate any insult to their dignity. We have zero tolerance in this regard,” he said.

“It is the government’s duty to ensure their safe movement on the streets and their dignity at the workplace,” Shafiqur said, expressing hope that women would contribute to nation-building alongside men “with peace of mind and without hesitation.”

On the question of Islamic society, Shafiqur said the Prophet (Pbuh) himself had taken women to the battlefield as warriors as well as for providing medical care. "Is there any task under the sky more difficult than war? If the Messenger of Allah himself honoured women in such tasks, then who am I to keep them away from the workplace?”

“For any woman with the need, merit and qualification, an honourable space will be created both at home and outdoors,” he added.

Turning to youth issues, the Jamaat chief said his party does not support unemployment allowances.

“We do not want to turn Bangladesh into a factory of unemployed people by giving allowances,” he said. “We want to turn the hands of every young man and woman into the hands of nation-builders.”

Shafiqur also addressed local development, alleging that political rivalry had damaged Shaheed Chandu International Cricket Stadium.

“If Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power, the stadium will be revitalised so that international matches can be hosted again,” he said.

He further pledged to upgrade Bogura into a city corporation, establish a public university in the district, and construct a second bridge over the Jamuna River to connect Bogura with Gaibandha.

Shafiqur alleged that Tk 28 lakh crore had been laundered abroad over the past 15 and a half years.

“We will try our best to recover that money. It belongs to the people and will be used for the country’s development,” he said.

Earlier in the day, he made similar pledges at a public meeting in Palashbari, Gaibandha. Leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its 10-party alliance began gathering at the Bogura venue from early morning, filling the playground by noon.